The duos will get a chance to make their case on a national stage Monday night when the Bears visit Candlestick Park for a showdown that could be dominated by defense, particularly with both starting quarterbacks coming off concussions.

On a conference call with the Bay Area media today, Briggs was posed this question: How do react when you read that Willis and Bowman are the two best inside linebackers in the NFL?

“It doesn’t change the way I play,” Briggs said. “It doesn’t change the way we play over here. That’s a ranking. The thing about a ranking — a ranking doesn’t mean anything if you don’t get to that Super Bowl. That’s the goal, to get to that Super Bowl.”

But Briggs wasn’t done. And, after offering the proper praise to Willis and Bowman (average age: 25), he cited some stats noting what he and Urlacher (average age: 33) have accomplished in their careers.

The implicit message, I think: Let’s see if Willis and Bowman can do it for a decade.

“Those are great backers,” Briggs said of San Francisco’s tandem. “I’ve watched them on film. Patrick, I’ve been to the Pro Bowl with him. NaVorro Bowman, he’s on his way. But the way I look at it is over here, we’ve got 15 Pro Bowls between the two of us and probably about eight All-Pros. We’ll let that decide for itself.”

In the background, Chicago cornerback Charles Tillman, in the room with Briggs, let out a you-tell-’em-Lance whistle to punctuate his teammate’s assessment.

For the record, Briggs and Urlacher do, indeed, have 15 Pro Bowl berths, and they’ve been named first-team All-Pro five times. Willis and Bowman have five Pro Bowl berths (all by Willis) and have been named first-team All-Pro five times.

This season, Briggs and Urlacher have combined for 101 tackles, 12 passes defensed, 3 interceptions (all returned for TDs), 3 forced fumbles and one sack.